21 Days of Prayer & Fasting ends today! January has never been such a powerful month in my life. I'm excited to discern the blessings and guidance Jesus has for me in 2014. How about you?
At times like these, sometimes whispers crowd our minds with thoughts like this: This is just a spiritual high, soon you will be back to 'normal'. Get ready for the yo-yo.
Perhaps different thoughts crowd in - I've been REVIVED! Now, let me get to work!
Perhaps different thoughts crowd in - I've been REVIVED! Now, let me get to work!
Luke 12:32 (CEB)
“Don’t be afraid, little flock, because your Father delights in giving you the kingdom.
and
John 16:33 (CEB)
I’ve said these things to you so that you will have peace in me. In the world you have distress. But be encouraged! I have conquered the world.”
Our God is a good God! Kind, compassionate, not willing that any should suffer a yo-yo relationship with Him. His Grace does 'feel' - it enhances our physiology. And because that is a gift of His grace, we need never fear it changing. What does the Bible say? In Malachi 3:6, it says God does not change.
Similarly, we need not worry ourselves out of His care with new programs, plans, ambitions. Let us take our hearts - full of intention and love as they may be - and fasten them firmly in the hand of Jesus. It is HIS yoke that is easy, HIS burden that is light. We are to seek HIS kingdom and HIS righteousness and then EVERYTHING ELSE will be added unto us.
Let us look to the walls of our own spiritual lives. Where are the holes? What needs patching up? Wherein can we place a stronger brick? Does the Bible even provide guidance on how to build the walls of our spiritual lives? Hallelujah - it does! The beautiful book of Nehemiah! Father - open our eyes today to the beautiful instructions You've sent just for each of us in this book!
Let us read from Nehemiah 4:13-22:
13 So I took up a position in the lowest parts of the space behind the wall in an open area. Then I stationed the people by families, and they had their swords, spears, and bows.14 After reviewing this, I stood up and said to the officials, the officers, and the rest of the people, “Don’t be afraid of them! Remember that the Lord is great and awesome! Fight for your families, your sons, your daughters, your wives, and your houses!”
15 Then our enemies heard that we had found out and that God had spoiled their plans. So we all returned to doing our own work on the wall. 16 But from that day on, only half of my workers continued in the construction, while the other half held the spears, shields, bows, and body armor. Meanwhile, the leaders positioned themselves behind the whole house of Judah, 17 who were building the wall. The carriers did their work with a load in one hand and a weapon in the other. 18 The builders built with swords fastened in their belts, and the trumpeter stayed by my side.
19 Then I said to the officials, the officers, and the rest of the people, “The work is very spread out, and we are far apart from each other along the wall. 20 When you hear the trumpet sound, come and gather where we are. Our God will fight for us!” 21 So we continued the work, with half of them holding spears from dawn until dusk.
22 I also said to the people at that time, “Let every man and his servant spend the night in Jerusalem so that we can guard during the night and work during the day.” 23 Neither I nor my relatives, nor my servants, nor my bodyguards took off our clothes, even when they sent for water.
13 So I took up a position in the lowest parts of the space behind the wall in an open area. Then I stationed the people by families, and they had their swords, spears, and bows.14 After reviewing this, I stood up and said to the officials, the officers, and the rest of the people, “Don’t be afraid of them! Remember that the Lord is great and awesome! Fight for your families, your sons, your daughters, your wives, and your houses!”
15 Then our enemies heard that we had found out and that God had spoiled their plans. So we all returned to doing our own work on the wall. 16 But from that day on, only half of my workers continued in the construction, while the other half held the spears, shields, bows, and body armor. Meanwhile, the leaders positioned themselves behind the whole house of Judah, 17 who were building the wall. The carriers did their work with a load in one hand and a weapon in the other. 18 The builders built with swords fastened in their belts, and the trumpeter stayed by my side.
19 Then I said to the officials, the officers, and the rest of the people, “The work is very spread out, and we are far apart from each other along the wall. 20 When you hear the trumpet sound, come and gather where we are. Our God will fight for us!” 21 So we continued the work, with half of them holding spears from dawn until dusk.
22 I also said to the people at that time, “Let every man and his servant spend the night in Jerusalem so that we can guard during the night and work during the day.” 23 Neither I nor my relatives, nor my servants, nor my bodyguards took off our clothes, even when they sent for water.
What do you see? Here's what I love...
-Everybody had work to do and they were stationed by FAMILIES!
-Know your God-given role and work. What is the weapon? The Bible. The carrier? Had a weapon. The builder? Had weapon. The cooks? Hey they were SERVING UP THE BREAD! If you aren't laboring - YOU HOLD THE WEAPON! Study while there is yet time!
-NEVER FEAR!
-FIGHT! Remember this verse? Let's put our emotions to good use - let us FIGHT for our spiritual lives! Let us redirect those fighting instincts in our children towards the fight of faith!
-Listen for the trumpet! Gather with believers physically - there is MORE strength in that!
-NEVER - NEVER - NEVER let go of your sword. Keep your Bible with you, in person, in your mind, on your computer, on your radio - NEVER drop your Sword!
-During the 'night' of our lives - be found in the City! Go to church. Never stop. God is there in special power - whatever man may do.
-Never take off your clothes! Beautiful picture - that white robe Jesus has given you. Jesus clothed you when you came to the cross this day, never forget! Does it dim in your mind? Rejoice in your confession, fall into the loving arms of Jesus, search the Word for more benefits given you..
Father God, You are mighty! It is not by our might nor by our power - but by Your Spirit that change comes - we praise You for that! We praise You that You have promised Yourself able to complete the work in each one of us that You have begun. Thank You Jesus...
Wonderful!
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